Federal Jobs for STARs Act of 2026

This bill would bar federal executive agencies from requiring a minimum level of education for a job unless the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) decides a certain degree is necessary for skills the job requires. It defines "STARs" as workers without a bachelor's degree who gained job skills through other routes, such as community college, apprenticeships, bootcamps, military service, or on-the-job experience. OPM would write rules on alternative qualifications, review added education requirements during hiring audits, and create a USAJOBS search path for jobs open to STAR workers. OPM and the Office of Management and Budget would also study what it would take to offer training and education programs to STAR employees and report to Congress within 180 days.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Raja Krishnamoorthi Democrat sponsor
• 12 cosponsors